Hacking

Computer hacking involves the manipulation of computer software and hardware or other technologies with criminal or noncriminal intent. Hacking is a phenomenon that has grown in prominence over the past 30 years with the increasing societal dependence on technology for all facets of life. Initially, the notion of computer hacking was nondeviant and associated with the ability to manipulate technology efficiently and effectively in novel ways. Over time, however, the concept of hacking took a more malicious turn due to its use in attacks against consumers and businesses. Today, computer hacking is viewed by many in the general public as one of the most dangerous forms of cybercrime. In fact, hacking has been equated with burglary in the real world due to the fact that a hacker often violates invisible lines of ownership to gain access to sensitive data or ideas. As a consequence, hacking has been incorporated into some states' criminal statutes under existing codes for burglary and robbery.

Hacking is a skill that can be applied in a variety of malicious and nonmalicious ways against both human and technological resources. For instance, hackers who modify programs to subvert security protocols could engage in this act to identify weaknesses in existing security infrastructures and better protect a computer network. This same practice could, however, be used to gain access to protected resources in furtherance of illegal acts ranging from stealing credit cards to acts of terror. The act of hacking is also largely equated with the use of malicious software and highly technical or complex programming. While it is true that some of the most ingenious hacks involve a sophisticated understanding of technology and sufficient skill, many hacks can be completed by preying on human nature. For instance, individuals can guess the password to an e-mail account based on what they know about the owners' lifestyle and family due to the tendency to use personal information to help create easy-to-recall passwords. Alternatively, a password can be obtained by “shoulder surfing,” or surreptitiously looking at individual keystrokes when entering information. Thus, hacking can involve basic techniques as well as more sophisticated applications of knowledge.